Tylecodon are found within the crassulacea family. The genus of around 46 species, is very diverse in habitat and quite variable in form, ranging from dwarf single leaved to large thick-stemmed, wich can attain a height of 2,5 mts.
The distribution of Tylecodon is , restricted to the Northern, Western and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa and Sourhern Namibia. The most typical vegetation type in which Tylecodon species are found is Succulent Karoo. The plants occur quite abundantly in habitats that vary from the rocky coastal shores ; rock crevices in mountainous terrain and in sandy hilly terrain. In very hot, dry environements, plants are usually confined to the cooler south facing slopes.
Tylecodon are not difficult plants to grow and are realatively free of diseases and pests. They can easily be cultivated outdoors in warm to temperate, winter rainfall regions where frost are not severe. The dwarf species, however, are better cultivated indoors, containerised and kept in a greenhouse where water and temperatures can be controlled. Plants are best cultivated in a well-drained, sandy, mineral-rich soil. Water them sparingly in winter and less to almost nothing in summer. Propagation is easy and can be done from seed, steem cuttings or division.
Growing Conditions for Tylecodon
Tylecodons can easily be grown outdoors in winter rainfall, warm to temperate regions where frost is not severe. The dwarf species are better for growing in pots, as an indoor or greenhouse plant.
Soil: Well-draining soil mix is the key to healthy Tylecodon. Poor drainage and overwatering most commonly cause root rot in both indoor and outdoor plants. Indoors, it is essential to use pots with at least one drainage hole at the bottom.
Light: Tylecodons can survive direct sunlight exposure without any problems, but they will grow beautifully when in shadow.
Temperature: These plants are extremely tolerant when it comes to high temperatures. They are also tolerant of cold, frost-free conditions during the winter. Tylecodons are winter growers. They will look their best during the colder months, while they will shrink or drop leaves completely during the summer. Tylecodons can tolerate cold down to USDA hardiness zones 9b, 25 °F (−3.9 °C).
General Care for Tylecodon
Place: Tylecodon can survive direct sunlight exposure without any problems, but it will grow beautifully when in shadow. This plant is considered to be extremely tolerant when it comes to high temperatures too. This is the type of a succulent that’s active during winter so you need to provide watering for them once a week (with an addition of an occasional spraying, i.e. rain simulation). Decrease watering to minimum during summer. This plant is ideal for rockery.
Watering: This plant belongs to a type of succulents that can withstand the heat in a good way. You should water it only when the soil around the plant is dry for a couple of days. It demands a good substrate drainage because the lack of it represents the most common problem and cause of rotting root.
Wintering: The lowest temperature Tylecodon can withstand is 25°F (-4°C), but provided that it won’t be a long time period. It’s for the best if it spends its winter the same way the cactus does, in a coldish, brim room that’s not heated. It’s often mentioned that this winter plant will look its best during a colder period, while it will shrink during the summer or drop leaves completely.
Repotting: You don’t need to repot this plant often. You can do it when you see that the container it’s in becomes too small or shallow. It’s for the best to move it with the soil located around the root.
Substrate: You can use the substrate for cacti with an addition of pebbles. Or you can make a combination of (mostly) sand, garden soil and pebbles by yourself. This plant grows in rocky areas, so be sure to provide it with pebbles positioned around it.
Topdressing: Use liquid fertilizer for cacti and other succulents during the winter months.
How to Propagate Tylecodon
Seed: Sow the seed into seed trays with coarse sand topping. Do not cover. Water once a week in winter and once a month in summer. After two years the plants will be about 3cm and can be planted in pots.
Cuttings: Take cuttings which are about 3cm in diameter. Place them in a sharp quartzite substrate in a warm place. They will normally take about a year to produce a strong root system.
The distribution of Tylecodon is , restricted to the Northern, Western and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa and Sourhern Namibia. The most typical vegetation type in which Tylecodon species are found is Succulent Karoo. The plants occur quite abundantly in habitats that vary from the rocky coastal shores ; rock crevices in mountainous terrain and in sandy hilly terrain. In very hot, dry environements, plants are usually confined to the cooler south facing slopes.
Tylecodon are not difficult plants to grow and are realatively free of diseases and pests. They can easily be cultivated outdoors in warm to temperate, winter rainfall regions where frost are not severe. The dwarf species, however, are better cultivated indoors, containerised and kept in a greenhouse where water and temperatures can be controlled. Plants are best cultivated in a well-drained, sandy, mineral-rich soil. Water them sparingly in winter and less to almost nothing in summer. Propagation is easy and can be done from seed, steem cuttings or division.
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| source pic: flickriver.com |
Growing Conditions for Tylecodon
Tylecodons can easily be grown outdoors in winter rainfall, warm to temperate regions where frost is not severe. The dwarf species are better for growing in pots, as an indoor or greenhouse plant.
Soil: Well-draining soil mix is the key to healthy Tylecodon. Poor drainage and overwatering most commonly cause root rot in both indoor and outdoor plants. Indoors, it is essential to use pots with at least one drainage hole at the bottom.
Light: Tylecodons can survive direct sunlight exposure without any problems, but they will grow beautifully when in shadow.
Temperature: These plants are extremely tolerant when it comes to high temperatures. They are also tolerant of cold, frost-free conditions during the winter. Tylecodons are winter growers. They will look their best during the colder months, while they will shrink or drop leaves completely during the summer. Tylecodons can tolerate cold down to USDA hardiness zones 9b, 25 °F (−3.9 °C).
General Care for Tylecodon
Place: Tylecodon can survive direct sunlight exposure without any problems, but it will grow beautifully when in shadow. This plant is considered to be extremely tolerant when it comes to high temperatures too. This is the type of a succulent that’s active during winter so you need to provide watering for them once a week (with an addition of an occasional spraying, i.e. rain simulation). Decrease watering to minimum during summer. This plant is ideal for rockery.
Watering: This plant belongs to a type of succulents that can withstand the heat in a good way. You should water it only when the soil around the plant is dry for a couple of days. It demands a good substrate drainage because the lack of it represents the most common problem and cause of rotting root.
Wintering: The lowest temperature Tylecodon can withstand is 25°F (-4°C), but provided that it won’t be a long time period. It’s for the best if it spends its winter the same way the cactus does, in a coldish, brim room that’s not heated. It’s often mentioned that this winter plant will look its best during a colder period, while it will shrink during the summer or drop leaves completely.
Repotting: You don’t need to repot this plant often. You can do it when you see that the container it’s in becomes too small or shallow. It’s for the best to move it with the soil located around the root.
Substrate: You can use the substrate for cacti with an addition of pebbles. Or you can make a combination of (mostly) sand, garden soil and pebbles by yourself. This plant grows in rocky areas, so be sure to provide it with pebbles positioned around it.
Topdressing: Use liquid fertilizer for cacti and other succulents during the winter months.
How to Propagate Tylecodon
Seed: Sow the seed into seed trays with coarse sand topping. Do not cover. Water once a week in winter and once a month in summer. After two years the plants will be about 3cm and can be planted in pots.
Cuttings: Take cuttings which are about 3cm in diameter. Place them in a sharp quartzite substrate in a warm place. They will normally take about a year to produce a strong root system.
